23-Year-Old Unnao Rape Survivor Dies After Being Burned Alive By Accused

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The Unnao rape victim, who was burnt alive by five men in Sidurpur village in Unnao district on December 5 died due to cardiac arrest on December 6th night at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital after battling for life for almost 40 hours. She has been battling for life with 90 per cent burns, the victim was in extremely critical situation and had been kept on ventilator. The incident happened when the 23-year-old Unnao rape victim was on her way to a court in Rae Bareli to attend a hearing in the rape case she filed against two men in March, 2019.

Previously, victim had alleged that Shivam and Shubham Trivedi had abducted and raped her in December 2018, following which she filed a suit against the two in March, 2019. Shubham was put in the jail in connection to the rape case but he was granted bail on November 30, 2019. After securing bail, he started following and threating her to revoke the suit. Her family alleged that their relatives have been getting death threats for pursuing this case.

There were five men who has been accused including the two who were accused of raping the woman in December, 2018. All the five accused who were involved in the attack were Harishankar Trivedi, Ram Kishore Trivedi, Umesh Bajpai, Shivam and Shubham Trivedi. The prime accused has been identified as Shivam and Shubham Trivedi. They were arrested hours after the incident.

The Unnao Rape victim was stabbed, thrashed, poured kerosene oil all over her and burnt alive by the accused. The women was first taken to local hospital then she was shifted to Lucknow’s Civil Hospital with 90 per cent burn injuries but later she has been airlifted to Safdargunj Hospital in Delhi for better treatment.

The victim gave her statement to the magistrate. In the statement she named five person who beaten, stabbed and burnt her alive.  The investigating team arrested four accused from their home and fifth accused surrendered itself at Bihar police station.

The UP government on December 5 directed Director General of Police to closely investigate the matter and to take immediate and strict actions against the perpetrators. CM directed divisional commissioner on December 5 and inspector general to conduct a spot investigation and submit the report of same by evening. He also called for the state to bear all the expenses regarding the treatment. Inspector General says that police would seek fast track prosecution in this case.

National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken Suo Moto cognizance and wrote to Uttar Pradesh DGP, seeking a report on action taken at the earliest.

INBA Team